Graeme Swann

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Andrew Strauss (326 runs at 65.20) 9: Redemption at Lord's followed by a second successive hundred at Trent Bridge (to prove that Test match centuries can be like London buses) set up his side's victories in the first two Tests. A touch negative in the field during Samuels' and Sammy's big stand at Nottingham and also when Best and Ramdin caused chaos at Edgbaston.

Alastair Cook (176 runs at 44.00) 6: Failed in the 1st innings of every Test and only made it to 24 at Trent Bridge after being reprieved twice by Roach no balls, but anchored a tricky run chase at Lord's with 79 vital runs and was there at the end at Nottingham whilst looking in decent enough nick.

Jonathan Trott (140 runs at 35.00) 5: Another to look in good touch but could only manage a top score of 58, which was unlike his usual ruthless self. Perhaps he is saving some big innings for his fellow South Africans?

Kevin Pietersen (203 runs at 50.75) 7: Looked in tremendous form at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston but was unable to turn scores of 80 and 78 into big three figure scores. Courted controversy once again by retiring from limited overs internationals but South Africa should beware as KP looks in the mood.

Ian Bell (222 runs at 111.00) 8: No doosra (or Saeed Ajmal), no cry for Bell who eased back into his 2011 vintage with three fifties from four innings with the most crucial coming in the 2nd innings at Lord's when England had stumbled to 57 for four chasing 191.

Jonathan Bairstow (38 runs at 12.66) 3: Started promisingly with a brief cameo of 16 at Lord's but was all at sea at Trent Bridge against the short ball. It is harsh to judge him on four brief innings, but an in-form Ravi Bopara is clearly a better bet against South Africa's daunting pace attack.

Matt Prior (35 runs at 17.50) 5: Whilst his work with the gloves was its usual high quality, he for once failed to cash in against his favourite opponents where in two innings he was bowled through the gate each time.

Tim Bresnan (12 wickets at 33.00; 39 runs at 39.00) 6: Disappointing at Lord's but back to his bustling best at Trent Bridge with eight wickets and an important 39 not out. if Edgbaston is anything to go by, he is far better as a third seamer than the leader of the attack. Winning run ended on 13 by the rain in Birmingham.

Stuart Broad (14 wickets at 21.71; 35 runs at 17.50) 8: Opened up with a career best eleven wicket match haul at Lord's and since the start of the India series last summer has 54 wickets at 18.88 and a batting average of 32.27. That is world-class in any language. Rested for Edgbaston but was still the leading wicket taker in the series.

Graeme Swann (6 wickets at 47.00; 31 runs at 15.50) 6: The pitches offered him scant assistance but took the vital wickets of Bravo and Chanderpaul as West Indies fought hard second time around at Lord's. Should come into his own against the South Africans in the summer's main event.

James Anderson (9 wickets at 26.88; 6 runs at 3.00) 8: Bowled better than his figures suggest, beat the bat countless times and is now the personification of consistency as he barely wastes a ball. Wasn't happy to be rested for Edgbaston where England missed his skill with the ball and nous as the attack leader. His forthcoming dual with Dale Steyn should be fascinating.

Steve Finn (1 Test, three for 109; 0*) 5: The 'next cab off the rank' came in at Edgbaston as Anderson and Broad were rested and mixed up some unplayable deliveries with several balls - especially in the record last wicket partnership - that were lacking in line or length.

Graham Onions (1 Test, four for 88; DNB) 7: England's decision to rotate their seamers handed the Durham bowler his first Test cap for two and a half years after a serious back injury. He was the pick of the attack with four wickets and may have moved ahead of Finn now in the pecking order.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 9: So, Test hundreds are like London buses for the skipper. After the relief of Lord's this was much more like the old Strauss versus opponents against whom he has six hundreds and an average of 50.

Alastair Cook - 6: Was unable to cash in after being dismissed twice off no-balls in the 1st innings effectively making his score 24 for three, before as at Lord's anchoring a serene progress to victory in the run chase.

Jonathan Trott - 6: Was in immaculate form before a slightly unlucky leg before decision (the ball was just clipping leg) stopped him in his tracks - on this showing though a big score can only be just around the corner.

Kevin Pietersen - 7: Can someone please tell me how KP can play a Dilscoop in a Test match?? Ridiculous. That maybe so, but England's premier batsman looked in ominous form during his knock of 80, which bodes well for the visit of his native South Africa later this summer.

Ian Bell - 5: Like Trott, looked in great touch before playing across the line and being trapped in front.

Jonathan Bairstow - 1: Given a thorough examination against the short ball and failed dismally, which doesn't auger well for the challenge ahead against Steyn and Morkel.

Matt Prior - 5: As sound as ever with the gloves, but as at Lord's only a fleeting cameo with the bat at a time when England needed him to stay in the middle.

Tim Bresnan - 9: Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but not for this Yorkshireman: eight wickets, useful runs, a glorious spell of reverse swing on the fourth evening, a continuation of his unblemished winning streak and not a cheese sandwich in sight.

Stuart Broad - 7: Had to be content with the support cast after his starring role at Lord's but made inroads with the new ball on the first morning and took the prize wicket of Chanderpaul second time around.

James Anderson - 8: Two wickets in each innings with the new ball and a stunning catch to get rid of Barath on the first morning, but perhaps showed too much frustration during Sammy and Samuels' big stand.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 9: It wasn't just a monkey that the skipper removed from his back when he finally reached three figures after 19 months and 26 innings, it was an especially large and heavy mountain gorilla. What will certain elements of the press have to talk about now?

Alastair Cook - 7: Looked horrified to play on in the first dig having played himself in but made up for it in the run chase to quell English nerves and ease his side to victory.

Jonathan Trott - 6: If it wasn't for his fastidiousness and quirky ways, England's number three would be practically invisible so unobtrusive is he at the crease. But his first innings 58 is there on the scorecard, not that we can remember much about it.

Kevin Pietersen - 5: Was in prime form first time around before nicking one behind to Samuels' part-time spin before another poor shot briefly looked to have put England in the brown stuff as they chased on the final morning.

Ian Bell - 8: A couple of attractive sixties were just what the doctor ordered after his dreadful winter expedition to Asia. Now averages 110 in his last ten Tests In England. Tom Jones would doubtless refer to it as the green, green grass of home.

Jonathan Bairstow - 5: Brief but attractive cameo with the bat, smart piece of fielding to run out Kirk Edwards and held onto a sharp chance at point to get rid of Samuels in the 1st innings. A promising enough start.

Matt Prior - 6: Another one to sparkle briefly with the bat versus opponents against whom he averages 63. Was as reliable and tidy as ever behind the stumps.

Tim Bresnan - 4: The lucky charm extended his run to 12 wins from 12 Tests, but was not at his best with the ball and didn't trouble the scorers with the bat. May drop out for Finn at Trent Bridge.

Stuart Broad - 9: Fully deserved his man of the match award for his eleven wickets and is now on the honours board at the home of cricket for ball and bat. Has now taken 51 wickets at 17 since the start of the India series last summer. That is world-class in anyone's language.

Graeme Swann - 7: The pitch offered scant assistance, but his three 2nd innings wickets included the key one of Chanderpaul and he would have had him in the 1st innings too if Strauss had listened to his plea for a review for a leg before.

James Anderson - 7: Hit the right groove immediately on the first morning and bowled well enough - the ball to get Ramdin on day four was a beauty, but was not quite at the level he was in Sri Lanka in April. But if Jimmy don't get you then Broady will.

Monday, April 09, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 7: Whilst Trott and Swann defended him off the pitch, the captain did his talking on the field with a dogged fifty to set up England's reply and keep the wolves from the door for now.

Alastair Cook - 8: After a poor winter, the vice-captain was at his obdurate best with a painstaking 94,which gave KP the platform he needed to cut loose. With the shackles released, Cook was far more fluent in the second innings as England cantered to their winning target.

Jonathan Trott - 7: Carried on from his hundred at Galle with another resolute innings here to end a difficult and error ridden winter on a positive note.

Kevin Pietersen - 10: After wintering worse than the German Sixth Army in Stalingrad in 1942-43, the real KP returned with what must go down as one of his best Test hundreds. On a pitch where fluency eluded everyone else, he took the Sri Lankan attack apart as he brought up his 20th Test ton.

Ian Bell - 4: Kept Pietersen company in his match defining innings, but has lost all semblance of his imperious form and confidence of 2011. Could do with being allowed to rediscover his touch in the County Championship for Warwickshire.

Matt Prior - 5: Not at his best with the bat this time, but for once this winter others above him did their jobs. Was his usual reliable self with the gloves.

Samit Patel - 6: Didn't look out of place at this level for the second successive match. He was tidy if not particularly threatening with the ball and added useful runs with the bat.

Tim Bresnan - 7: Held up an end and went at only two runs per over in his first Test of the winter. Now has 11 wins from his 11 Tests, which must make him the largest leprechaun in history.

Graeme Swann - 10: Bagged a ten wicket haul to confirm once and for all his supremacy as England's premier spinner. His six wickets in the second innings included Sri Lanka's big four -Mahela Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Samaraweera and Dilshan making his contribution to the win just as significant as Pietersen's.

James Anderson - 8: Produced another potent burst with the new ball on the first morning and would seem to have a batsman as great as Sangakkara in his pocket. No one in this side deserved a win this winter more than Dale Steyn's nearest challenger as the best fast bowler in the world.

Steve Finn - 7: After a sterling performance over the winter with the drinks tray, Finn confirmed the impression from the one dayers in India and versus Pakistan that he is quicker and more venomous than before even if the pitch didn't exactly play to his strengths.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 3: Too negative in the field on the occasions England were on top and horrendous run with the bat continued with two cheap dismissals having done the hard work and played himself in each time. Has just one hundred in his last 48 innings, averages a paltry 25.50 since relinquishing the one day captaincy and has now lost four Tests on the bounce. Is he now more Captain Caveman than Captain Marvel?

Alastair Cook - 2: A Test to forget for England's best batsman. Fell to an excellent delivery to his fifth ball in the 1st innings before falling foul of DRS second time around. Has only passed 14 four times in his last 14 visits to the crease in Tests.

Jonathan Trott - 9: Recovered from an embarrassing dismissal in the 1st innings to become the first England batsman to reach three figures this winter. It was a heroic knock too and provided a template to his colleagues in terms of its judgement and patience.

Kevin Pietersen - 4: Failed first time around but looked close to his best in the 2nd innings before carelessly giving it away early on the fourth morning. That said, looks set to go big in Colombo - England's number one Test ranking could depend upon it.

Ian Bell - 5: There were flashes of the batsman who dominated Test cricket in 2011 in his 1st innings fifty, but despite his obvious class Bell clearly struggles against spin on slow wickets. There was no better evidence of this than the injudicious sweep that led to his dismissal second time around.

Matt Prior - 6: Assured behind the stumps as usual. Learned from his 1st innings dismissal when he was leg before playing back to form what looked like a matchwinning partnership with Trott before an unfortunate dismissal led to the final denoument. Good enough to bat in the top six.

Samit Patel - 4: Not the easiest Test to make a debut but Patel didn't let anyone down. Kept it tight with the ball and grabbed a couple of wickets, although will need to learn from his dismissals in both innings if he is to prosper at this level.

Stuart Broad - 4: Was clearly not fully fit and looked to have worsened his injury by the end of the match. Costly no ball enabled Sri Lanka to add another 47 2nd innings runs and was one of eight he bowled in the match. Brief 1st innings cameo with the bat threatened to drag his side back into contention.

Graeme Swann - 8: Expensive in the 1st innings when Jayawardene certainly tucked in, but back to his attacking and potent best second time around with six wickets to prove once and for all he is England's number one spinner.

James Anderson - 8: Heroic bowling in the 1st innings as he bagged his 12th five wicket Test haul and overtook fellow Lancastrian Brian Statham on England's all-time leading wicket taker list. His batting continues to improve.

Monty Panesar - 5: A tidy enough performance with the ball but lacked real threat and generally didn't trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen. Comical in the field where his two drops of Jayawardene ultimately cost England dear.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The 2010 Champions had a disappointing defence of their title last season. Can they challenge again in 2012?

Strengths

James Taylor, Adam Voges and Michael Lumb have arrived to supplement what now looks a very strong batting line-up that also features Alex Hales, Samit Patel and skipper Chris Read. Andre Adams continues to lead the line and will be looking to repeat his success of 2010 (68 Championship wickets) and 2011 (67).

Weaknesses

The bowling is over-reliant on Adams a situation likely to be exacerbated by Darren Pattinson missing the first two months of the season. International call-ups have permanently deprived Notts of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, and Patel, Hales and Taylor could all join them this coming season.

Main man

Of all the young batsmen jostling for position as next man in to the Test side, James Taylor looks to be the most likely to force his way in. A big debut season following his arrival from Leicestershire could help him do that sooner rather than later.

Look out for

Chris Read's heroics with the bat. We've lost count of the number of times he has saved his side.

Prediction

6th - Stronger bowling attacks may successfully raid a helpful Trent Bridge wicket too often for this to be anything but a season of struggle for the champions of two years ago.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Alastair Cook - 10 (323 runs at 80.75, SR 88.98): Who said he couldn't adapt his game for one day internationals? Struck two hundreds in the first two games and was only 20 runs short of a third before letting his opening partner grab the glory in the final match.

Kevin Pietersen - 9.5 (281 runs at 93.66, SR 84.38): Didn't get out of first gear as his engine spluttered in the first two matches, but having not scored a ODI hundred in three and a half years just like London buses two came along together to ensure England cantered to their targets in the final two games.

Jonathan Trott - 2 (38 runs at 12.66, SR 53.52): For once it really was Trott's fault as England's number three followed a poor Test series with an even worse one day rubber. At least Bob Willis will be pleased.

Ravi Bopara - 8 (108 runs at 54.00, SR 80.00): Came into the series under pressure but delivered with a pair of fifties as part of two match defining partnerships with fellow Essex boy Cook. He may have played himself into the Test side for Sri Lanka into the bargain.

Eoin Morgan - 4 (66 runs at 33.00, SR 77.64): His hangover from the Test series blunted his usual lustre with the bat when in coloured clothing. Two not outs inflated his figures.

Craig Kieswetter - 6 (52 runs at 26.00, SR 64.19): Looked like little boy lost in an alien position for him in the middle order at first and endured a few mishaps behind the stumps. But bounced back with a promising 43 to help England complete the whitewash.

Jos Buttler - 1: After a big build-up thanks to impressive performances with the Lions and a List A average in excess of 70, a finger injury delayed his entry into the fray and when he finally got a chance in the last match he bagged a two ball duck.

Samit Patel - 7 (5 wickets at 33.80, ER 5.12; 34 runs, SR 85.00): Picked up some crucial wickets, wasn't dismissed in either of his innings and even pulled off a smart catch at a crucial moment in the second game. Deserves to get a decent lunch allowance in his shiny new ECB incremental contract.

Stuart Broad - 6 (5 wickets at 23.40, ER 4.50; 1 run): Not quite on the money in the first two games, but looked close to his imperious best in the third match before getting a much needed rest for the final game.

Tim Bresnan - 4: Returned from injury in the final game of the series and was unsurprisingly a bit rusty with the ball, but did manage to hit the winning runs.

James Anderson - 6 (4 wickets at 28.00, ER 4.48): Like Broad, was overshadowed by Finn but plugged away well enough. Probably not in England's strongest ODI XI at present.

Steve Finn - 10 (13 wickets at 10.30, ER 3.35): Phenomenal. Decided the first match with a devastating new ball burst and was head, shoulders and chest the best bowler on either side throughout. Pakistan's batsmen could neither keep him out or get him away. A berth in the Test side cannot be far away.

Jade Dernbach - 6: Gained some redemption for his ordeal in India by taking a four-for in the final game. Still has a girl's name.

Danny Briggs - 6: Came in for his debut in the final game, showed promise and bowled tidily to take two for 39. Will get further opportunities.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

A second consecutive ton for the skipper, two fifties in a row for the erstwhile drinks waiter as well as successive four-fors for his assistant and expert ice bucket carrier.

Pakistan may have scored more runs this time but one couldn't help having a distinct feeling of déjà vu about the second one day international in Abu Dhabi.

Despite being green-washed in the Test series, England can not now lose a one day series that is strangely comprised of four matches. I suppose we should thank our lucky stars it isn't seven.

England's recovery perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise as the last four times they have lost a preceding Test series they have bounced back to triumph in the one day series that followed. And they used to say that Pakistan were mercurial and unpredictable.

For the statisticians amongst you, England won 3-2 in the Caribbean in 2009 having lost the Test series 1-0. This followed on from 4-0 and 4-3 successes at home against South Africa and India in 2008 and 2007 respectively.

They also won the CB Series in Australia after being whitewashed in the Ashes series that never was in 2007. That was also the last time an England batsman (Paul Collingwood) struck two successive one day tons.

In other news, we identified that Kevin Pietersen's last one day ton in Cuttack in November 2008 came two weeks BEFORE Graeme Swann's Test debut - more a case of mon Dieu or sacré bleu than déjà vu.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Andrew Strauss – 4 (150 runs at 25.00): Preached the virtues of patience prior to the series but then immediately undid it all with a reckless shot in Ajmal’s first over. Improved as the series wore on though and didn’t lack fight as epitomised by his 56 in the last Test. Some will point to his record of just one century in 46 innings and none in his last 21 but this team needs its captain more than ever now.

Alastair Cook – 3 (159 runs at 26.50): The tone was set by his ill-judged cut against Hafeez on the first morning of the series. A characteristically watchful 94 seemed to have set England up for a big 1st innings lead in Abu Dhabi. Fell four times to the new ball and mostly to poor shots too.

Jonathan Trott – 4 (161 runs at 26.83): Should have been in his element in conditions that rewarded his roll up your sleeves and grind the opposition into the ground attributes. Instead he collected an uncharacteristic collection of careless of dismissals culminating in an ugly slog in the final day of the series. Averages just 35 since the start of 2011.

Kevin Pietersen – 2 (67 runs at 11.16): The batsman that once mastered Warne and switch hit Murali for six in a Test match was left shaken and stirred by the combination of Ajmal and Rehman with a twist of DRS. His approach to counter them had improved markedly by the 3rd Test, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Ian Bell – 1 (51 runs at 8.50): Had averaged 131, 73, 66, 331 and 84 in his five previous Test series but boy wonder quickly became boy blunder as Bell was completely bewitched and bamboozled by Ajmal’s doosra. Hi s tame dismissal to a Gul long hop on the final day of the series suggested he was mentally shot and harked back to the days of the Sherminator.

Eoin Morgan – 1 (82 runs at 13.66): Supposedly in the side because of his ability against spin but was dismissed five times out of six by Ajmal or Rehman. Has just five 50+ scores in 24 Test innings, averages just 30 and looks decidedly out of his depth. Self-belief can only take you so far.

Matt Prior – 7 (150 runs at 37.50; 5 catches, 1 stumping): The only England batsman to average over 30 and his unbeaten 49 off 58 balls on the last day of the series demonstrated that a more positive approach could yield runs. As secure as Fort Knox behind the stumps.

Stuart Broad – 9 (13 wickets at 20.46; 105 runs at 21.00): Confirmed his emergence as one of the world’s best bowlers with a consistently brilliant performance with the ball. Also showed his batsmen the way with a sparkling 50 in Abu Dhabi that ought to have led to victory.

Graeme Swann – 6 (13 wickets at 25.07; 105 runs at 17.50): Deadly against the left-handers who accounted for nearly half of his wickets for the series. Unfortunately, there were only two in Pakistan’s line-up and although he didn’t perform badly, Swann was consistently outbowled by Pakistan’s spinners as well as Panesar.

James Anderson – 7 (9 wickets at 27.66; 54 runs at 10.80): Used the new ball well and demonstrated impressive control and accuracy on pitches and in conditions that are supposedly not his forte. Scored more runs than Bell and with one exception in Abu Dhabi caught well at slip to the spinners.

Monty Panesar – 8 (14 wickets at 21.57): A welcome return. England’s leading wicket taker in the series despite only playing two games. Shouldered a lot of hard work and was rewarded with two successive five-fors and had a better economy rate than Ajmal or Rehman. Guaranteed his spot for Sri Lanka.

Chris Tremlett – 4 (1 Test, no wickets): Didn’t let anyone down despite failing to take a wicket in a Test innings for the first time. Now faces the surgeon’s knife and an uncertain international future.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Andrew Strauss – 5: That his charges refused to give up is a testament to his leadership and no-one dug in more than the captain with his 82 runs in the match covering 226 balls and nearly five and a half hours of blood, sweat and toil.

Alastair Cook – 4: Tried to atone for his feeble 1st innings dismissal by digging in second time around, but fell one run short of fifty to a spectacular diving catch at slip by Younis.

Jonathan Trott – 2: This series has even scrambled Trott’s brains. First, he didn’t review a LBW decision that would have missed leg stump then he succumbed to a completely uncharacteristic slog second time around.

Kevin Pietersen – 4: Looked much better than in the first two matches of this series and was dreadfully unlucky with his 1st innings dismissal - just as he appeared to be in full flow – a decision that would never have been given pre-DRS.

Ian Bell – 1: A shocking end to an awful series as last summer’s Prom King countered his inability to read Ajmal by tamely chipping a Gul long hop to Shafiq at cover point.

Eoin Morgan – 3: At least went down fighting in the 2nd innings but the suspicion that he is as horribly out of his depth at this level as a Premier League footballer on University Challenge persists.

Matt Prior – 7: Ended the series as he started it with a good knock to top the England batting averages for the series. Was his usual consistent and vocal self behind the stumps – although he was positively mute compared to his Pakistani counterpart.

Stuart Broad – 9: Was once again let down by his batsmen after another lethal exhibition of bowling on a flat track in Asia had reduced Pakistan to rubble on day one. A shoo-in for a current World XI.

Graeme Swann – 5: Outbowled by Monty for the second game in a row and looked a bit out of sorts, but did at least pick up his new bunny Rehman in both innings. Would have been deadly if Pakistan had 11 left-handed batsmen - unfortunately they only have two.

James Anderson – 7: Like Broad was brilliant on the first morning as Pakistan capsized. Looked more self-assured with the bat than several of his top order.

Monty Panesar – 7: A second successive five-for in his second match back sealed his spot on the plane for the tours to Sri Lanka and India later this year. Surely, he won’t blame himself for this defeat too?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 3: Captained the side well again and at least showed some fight in anchoring the run chase. Sadly the skipper's lack of form and his colleagues lack of stomach did for Strauss and for England. Should consider dropping to three in an effort to regain form.

Alastair Cook - 6: Typically resilient in the 1st innings where his diligence and concentration deserved a hundred. His early loss in the run chase proved terminal for England - it was Cook's sixth single figure score in his last nine Test innings.

Jonathan Trott - 6: Poor footwork cost him his wicket in the 1st innings after he and Cook had done all the hard work. Illness meant it is difficult to level any blame on Trott's shoulders for his failure in the run chase when he eventually came in at number seven. Definitely not Trott's fault.

Kevin Pietersen - 1: Whilst those questioning his place are clearly insane his complete lack of form in this series - only 17 runs to date at 4.25 - and his overall record in Asia where he averages just 29.54 from 13 Tests (excluding matches against Bangladesh) are real causes for concern.

Ian Bell - 2: The best Test batsmen of 2011 has been made to look a novice by Pakistan's spinners. Seems as likely to be able to read Ajmal's doosra as a tourist in London has of spotting a family of Tyrannosaurus Rex's enjoying a vegetarian picnic in Hyde Park.

Eoin Morgan - 1: Supposedly in the side due to his ability against spin, but there has been little evidence to date on this tour with his dismissal in the 2nd innings being especially grotesque. Impressing in limited overs internationals is one thing, but Test cricket is quite another. Should be replaced by Ravi Bopara for the final Test.

Matt Prior - 4: Sound again behind the stumps and prepared to battle more than most in front of them. Unfortunately, his game is the least suited of England's top seven to facing quality spin bowling on these type of wickets as evidenced by his tendency to play back too often.

Stuart Broad - 8: Didn't deserve to finish on the losing side after another fine exhibition of bowling and a counterattacking 1st innings fifty that seemed to have put his side in control. As an enforcer he was more Barbie than Rambo, but since he dropped the tough guy act he has taken 33 wickets in six Tests at less than 16.

Graeme Swann - 7: His hold over the Pakistani left handers - against whom he averages five -continued, but in truth he was outbowled by Panesar for the majority of the Test.

James Anderson - 7: As in Dubai, he barely wasted a ball and performed manfully in conditions that are pretty alien to him.

Monty Panesar - 8: After 29 Tests in the wilderness, Monty made a magnificent return and certainly got through some work, bowling 71.3 overs in the match and taking seven for 153. Looks to have more control, variety and a more attacking line than Monty v1.0.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

We were at an event the other night where Tony Blair's spin doctor Alastair Campbell (a master of the Teesra long before Saeed Ajmal) gave the keynote address and shared with us a list of acronyms that he kept close to hand during his time in government.

Number six or seven (we cannot remember exactly) was HAP, as in get your head above the parapet in times of crisis.

That's exactly what England coach Andy Flower did the day after England's humiliating ten wicket defeat to Pakistan in the 1st Test in Dubai (a location that still doesn't sound quite right for Test cricket).

Flower's honest appraisal was that the nature and extent of the loss would act as a wake-up call to the squad with him reasoning that the long break between England's last Test against India at The Oval in August and this one had left the team fatally under prepared and undercooked.

With the bowlers, we are not sure this really applies. The four man attack stuck to their task well, hardly gave anything away and bowled Pakistan out for a sub-standard total on that pitch.

The problem of course lay with the batsmen who barely exceeded Pakistan's total in their two innings put together. Not content with playing Ajmal as if he was the devil himself - one would have thought that having endured 13 years of Campbell's New Labour England would be able to handle a bit of spin - they seemed to be attempting to outdo each other to see how many times they could be strangled down the legside. The cherry on the top though was Kevin Pietersen's (an absolute liability before he has got off nought) grotesque, hare-brained dismissal in the 2nd innings.

Indeed, Pietersen, Ian Bell and Alastair Cook only totalled 15 runs between them during the match - less than James Anderson on his own and nearly five times less than the number of Graeme Swann managed. That's not undercooked, that's frozen - arctic like frozen.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Andrew Strauss - 3: Failed to heed his patience policy with a dismal pull in Ajmal's first over and then amidst some rancour gave a faint legside edge behind second time around. Without a Test hundred in 17 innings and averages just 31 since the start of the tour to South Africa in 2009. Talk of him being under pressure though is ridiculous as evidenced by the fight his sides showed in the field.

Alastair Cook - 1: Perhaps the early introduction of spin in only the sixth over of the match surprised him and forced an injudicious cut off Hafeez's third ball. Caught the legside strangulation bug in the 2nd innings. Just 8 runs from 61 balls in the match is not the returns England has become accustomed to.

Jonathan Trott - 4: Successful audition for the part of golden arm with prize wicket of Younis hid two disappointing dismissals with the bat even if he looked in better touch than any of the other top six batsmen - not that that says much.

Kevin Pietersen - 1: Strangely subdued maybe because he had no crowd to play to. His duck in the 2nd innings was particular ghastly. As one wag noted perhaps KP should have been told the full house had come dressed as blue seats.

Ian Bell - 1: Moved rapidly to the head of the queue for the role of Ajmal's bunny after fatally failing to read the doosra in both innings.

Eoin Morgan - 3: Instigated a mini-recovery with Prior on the first morning and ably demonstrated his ability against spin before missing an attempted slog sweep to fall leg before. Undone by Rehman's arm ball in the 2nd innings.

Matt Prior - 7: Played an unusually cautious knock - he didn't score his first boundary until his 85th ball and brought up his seventh 50+ plus score in his last 11 innings before falling cheaply second time round. Smart diving catch to remove Shafiq.

Stuart Broad - 7: Brought England back into game with wickets of Taufeeq and Azhar, and bowled to a consistently high standard throughout. Unlike Lord's in 2010, there were no heroics with the bat this time around.

Graeme Swann - 7: Helped bring some respectability to England's first innings and his 39 second time around meant he was just two runs short of being England's highest run maker in the match. Stuck to his task well with the ball and was eventually rewarded with four wickets. Didn't get much turn and found Pakistan's batsmen less willing accomplices than Ajmal found England's.

Chris Tremlett - 5: Failed to take a wicket in a Test innings for the first time but he will bowl worse than he did here and take three or four wickets. Didn't give much away but the pitch nullified his usual bounce and menace.

James Anderson - 7: Barely wasted a ball and scored more runs than Cook, Bell and Pietersen put together. For once not needed as nightwatchman - England really were that bad.

Monday, January 16, 2012

A lot has happened since England last played a Test match. Regimes have fallen, cricketers have been incarcerated, David Warner and Vernon Philander have taken to Test cricket like ducks to water and man has finally landed on the moon.

Ok we made the last one up, but it has been a long time – 148 days to be precise – since England wrapped up a 4-0 series against India at The Oval. It was a fitting end to a perfect year that saw England replace the vanquished Indians at the top of the Test rankings and win six out of its eight (the other two being rain affected draws) Tests – four by an innings.

2012 is likely to be both busier – with 15 Tests in all – and tougher given that England face tough assignments in Sri Lanka and India in the sub-continental conditions that have proved to be their achilles heel in the recent past. But first up is an intriguing clash with a rejuvenated Pakistan in similar conditions in the UAE.

One school of thought is that England should stick to the six specialist batsmen, three seamer and one spinner policy that has served them so well in their climb to the top of the pile. But will this lead to success on the flat, slow and entirely different conditions that await them in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and India?

We think not and believe that England should be bold rather than defensive and trust that Matt Prior is a more than competent enough batsman at six on pitches that will strongly favour the batsmen.

True, it would be better if Tim Bresnan was fit to add ballast at number seven, but Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann both know which end of the bat to hold and in benign conditions should be equipped to perform well enough at seven and eight if they apply themselves.

In any case, if England are to take 20 wickets on pitches where there has been only one positive result (four draws out of five so far) since Pakistan made the UAE its temporary home then Monty Panesar, in form after an eight-wicket haul in the warm-up last week, simply has to be picked alongside Swann and three seamers – Broad, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett in our view with Eoin Morgan the batsman to miss out.

If England do decide to be positive we would expect them to have enough to take 20 wickets in at least one of the three Tests to win the series, but it will be far from easy not just due to the alien conditions but also because Misbah-ul-Haq has made Pakistan a resilient side that will be extremely tough to beat.

Whatever the outcome the return of the number one Test side after such a long sabbatical certainly whets the appetite.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

It's that time of year again and like the rest of us, the cricket fraternity have been compiling their list of requests for Santa.

Here's what some of them may have asked for this Christmas:

Daniel Vettori - Protection. With 2011 having seen a number of dictators leaving this mortal coil, along with President Assad of Syria, Dictator Dan is one of only a handful left

Phillip Hughes - It's not exactly been a good year for poor old Phil, so his list to Santa is bulging with wishes such as a request to rescind his decision to opt out of BBL now that he has lost his Test place, a book of the best Worcester hosteleries ahead of his stint with the county and for Chris Martin and Martin Guptill to be sent on a one-way mission to Mars

Ricky Ponting - A time machine so he can relive past glories

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - A DVD of The Great Escape and a tunnel making kit

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Since then every other Test playing country - even regrettably Zimbabwe - have been in action whilst the likes of Andrew Strauss have taken to their sofas, inserted their pipes and caught up with the first series of Danish sensation Forbrydelsen (that's The Killing to you and us) on BBC 4.

England's next assignment as they look to cement their position as the number one ranked side is in the unlikely surroundings of the United Arab Emirates where a three Test series with a rapidly improving Pakistan starts on January 17th in Dubai.

Whilst there is a whole host of mince pies, mulled wine and other festive delights to negotiate before then, the encounter with Team Misbah will come closer into view with the announcement of the touring party this Friday.

The selectors don't have any injuries of any significance to worry about but they will need to factor into their deliberations what make-up will be required for the slow turners that will likely be prepared for the 'home' side and their wily spinner Saeed Ajmal.

England will have to make serious consideration to foregoing their usual six batsmen policy to play two spinners in each of the three Tests. Either that or they retain a four man attack of either three seamers and one spinner or two seamers and two spinners. The squad they name will need to cover each of these eventualities.

With the six frontline batsmen picking themselves, the discussions will centre on identifying the spare batsman, back-up keeper to Matt Prior, two spinners to accompany Graeme Swann and whether to pick four or five seamers.

The spare batsman will probably be Ravi Bopara, although we'd opt for James Taylor. The keeper will be one of Steven Davies (back-up Test keeper in the last touring party, but who hasn't been seen since), Craig Kieswetter or Jonathan Bairstow (who could double up as the spare batsman) with Davies getting our vote as he is the best keeper of the three.

The choice of seamers will likely be in order of preference James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and if a fifth quick is required Steve Finn with Graham Onions next to step in.

Borthwick is a big spinner of the ball, can bat and has the added bonus of being a leg-spinner. If England play a second spinner instead of a sixth batsman than Patel could slot in at seven behind Prior. But both are probably not quite Test class yet, so Panesar plus Patel seems the best option to us.

Of course this could have been the tour to blood Adil Rashid, but he has fallen out of favour with the selectors and had an erractic season with Yorkshire last summer, so once again he will have to sit on the sidelines.

Make no doubt, Pakistan will be a tough proposition for England - as they were in 2005 just a few weeks after that famous Ashes triumph - and the selectors will need to ensure that Strauss and Andy Flower have the requisite resources and flexibility in the squad to combat the steely Misbah and his rapidly improving Pakistan side.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Despite our parodies of Kevin Pietersen in his Ashes and Summer cricket diaries, we've always been firm supporters of him here at the Reverse Sweep.

An immensely talented batsman, Pietersen has brought a sprinkle of stardust to the England side ever since making such a big impact in the one day series in South Africa in 2005 and then the never-to-be-forgotten Ashes series a few months later.

Sure, KP appears to be a little too in love with himself at times, but the ridiculously bad press he gets at times would seem to be more down to jealously and a hidden agenda at his South African background rather than anything to do with his cricket.

The one fault that could be laid at his door was that at times he could seem a little immature and even naive, hence his ill-advised criticism of Peter Moores during his short-lived stint as captain and thinking he could ride out the storm he had created whilst on safari in South Africa.

But recent evidence suggests that Pietersen has grown up. Mature double-hundreds at Adelaide and Lord's set the foundations for crucial England wins early in the respective series with Australia and India.

Moreover, the quiet dignity he has maintained since the negative comments Graeme Swann made about his captaincy have shown the true mettle of the man. No toys have been thrown out of the pram and not even a glimmer of a bust-up between the two has been detected by a no doubt disappointed press.

And who was the star of the show on Saturday when an England side skippered by Swann of all people finally won a match in India? None other than KP.

England can only get better with a mature, motivated and fit Pietersen in the side.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Alastair Cook - 4 (133 runs at 26.60, SR 84.71): A pair of sixties sandwiched three failures in the middle three games. His honeymoon as captain is well and truly over and as leader must take share of blame for England's poor discipline and negative body language in the field.

Craig Kieswetter - 4 (135 runs at 27.00, SR 101.50): Shocking performance with the gloves cost England the game in Mohali and with his batting flattering to deceive his place will come under scrutiny. Did bat well in Kolkata, though should have dug in to see his side over the line.

Jonathan Trott - 6 (202 runs at 50.50, SR 79.84): Received ridiculous and undeserved criticism after his 98* at Mohali - the only game that England ran India close in. Does need to find another gear, but it is churlish to call for his head when he has a one day average in excess of 50. Definitely not Trott's fault.

Kevin Pietersen - 6 (170 runs at 42.50, SR 82.52): Dealt with the furore of Swann's autobiography with dignity and looked close to his best in Delhi and Mohali but still couldn't pass 64 despite reaching 40 on three occasions. Hasn't scored a one day hundred for three years now.

Ravi Bopara - 2 (80 runs at 16.00, SR 62.99): Went horribly backwards after taking what seemed to be several significant steps forward in the summer. His dreadful dismissal bowled behind his legs in Kolkata could prove his international epitaph.

Ian Bell - 2 Endured a frustrating time on the sidelines before being part of the woeful collapse in Kolkata.

Jonathan Bairstow - 3 (49 runs at 12.25, SR 59.75): After all the hype from to his remarkable debut in Cardiff, the youngster looked woefully out of his depth against spin and the slower Indian wickets. Needs to learn from the experience.

Samit Patel - 6(160 runs at 40, SR 91.95; 4 wickets at 45.50, ER 6.03): One of the few plus points - memorable innings at Mohali and was as good if not better than Swann with the ball.

Tim Bresnan - 3(5 wickets at 49, ER 5.65; 61 runs at 15.25, SR 87.14): Out of sorts with the ball and proved a poor leader of the attack in the absence of Anderson and Broad, which perhaps explains his fractiousness. Useful knock in Mumbai at least gave England a slither of hope.

Graeme Swann - 2(2 wickets at 95.50, ER 5.30): Being dropped for the Mumbai game must have been a chastening experience for the side's budding Shakespeare. His performances and mood were as bad as the timing of the release of his autobiography, and the success of Ashwin and Jadeja puts his poor form even more into context.

Scott Borthwick - 2: Came in for Swann at Mumbai but didn't look even close to an international class spinner. Has plenty of promise though and the Durham leggie's time will come again.

Steven Finn - 6 (8 wickets at 31.62, ER 5.27): England's lone star with the ball was up on pace and at times the Indian batsmen found him too hot to handle. Needs to channel his temper better.

Jade Dernbach - 2(1 wicket at 168, ER 6.54): Struggled badly and completely lost the plot in the final overs at Mohali and was consequently dropped for the last two games. However, given it was his first venture on Indian pitches, should be persevered with.

Stuart Meaker - 5 (2 wickets at 55, ER 5.78): Came in at Mumbai and Kolkata, showed immense promise and character and didn't let anyone down - even if his final over at Kolkata proved to be a MS Dhoni masterclass.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Living as we do in the age of celebrity, it is perhaps no surprise that many top-level sportsmen and women cash in by publishing an autobiography long before they retire thus providing at least one opportunity for an updated edition when they finally do.

So, Graeme Swann is by no means the first and will certainly not be the last cricketer to do this and being the straightforward and honest man that he is, his forthcoming autobiography ‘The Breaks are Off’ have certainly ruffled a few feathers.

In the extracts of the book to be published to date, Swann gives a pretty damning indictment of Kevin Pietersen’s leadership qualities and brief spell as England captain.

We’re not sure that this is a sensible route for Swann to take as such a move could threaten the team spirit and togetherness of the squad, which has been a major factor in achieving home and away Ashes wins, this summer’s thrashing of India and the subsequent rise to the top of the Test rankings.

And it seems that Andy Flower agrees with us, saying just a few days ago that:

"I personally don't think that it's a good idea for current players to be talking about their fellow players. The written word does come across very, very differently - when you can't judge a person's tone.”

Once again Flower is spot on with his assessment and it is perhaps fortunate that Pietersen’s reaction has been dignified and the morale and unity of the dressing room doesn’t seem to have been affected.

But there will come a time when such an episode leads to a falling out between two or more players and that could have a devastating effect on the future performance of the side, so it is to be hoped that other England players planning books heed the words of their coach and put the pen to one side until their time representing their country has ended.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Andrew Strauss – 7 (229 runs at 38.16): Looked in decent enough touch but was only able to convert one of his many starts past fifty to extend his wretched run to just one hundred in his last 25 Tests. As captain, he timed his declarations, bowling changes and field placings perfectly and Flower rightly lauded his leadership. Can now put his feet up until the New Year.

Alastair Cook – 7 (348 runs at 58.00): After failing at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, Cook responded with the second longest and sixth highest Test innings by an Englishman showing remarkable levels of concentration and discipline.

Jonathan Trott – 5 (98 runs at 24.50): Ground out a handy 70 when England were under the cosh at Lord’s, but thereafter a couple of rash shots and a nasty shoulder injury curtailed Trott’s participation in the series. His Test average has now fallen below the immortal level of 60 to a still heady 57.79. Will he bat at three or five when he returns?

Kevin Pietersen – 9 (533 runs at 106.60): We predicted that KP’s love of the big occasion would probably see him do well in the series and for once we were proved correct. His double hundred at Lord’s was at first almost Cookesque before reaching its brutal climax. By the time he reached The Oval, KP was back to his arrogant, strutting and dismissive best and punished the woeful Indian attack accordingly.

Ian Bell – 9 (504 runs at 84.00): Trott’s injury gave Bell the chance to put the past to bed as far as the number three spot went and he did that with aplomb. The hundred at Trent Bridge was magnificent and helped turn the match, whilst the double hundred at The Oval exhibited Bell’s class and elegant stroke making to the hilt. Since coming back into the side at Edgbaston in 2009, Bell has raised his Test average from a touch under 40 to its present 49.28 and he now should surely be considered as currently the best batsman in the world.

Eoin Morgan – 6 (194 runs at 32.33): Clearly has the temperament for Test cricket as his hundred at Edgbaston showed but nagging doubts over his technique to the seamers outside off-stump were there for all to see. Plays the spinners impeccably though so should enjoy the winter Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Ravi Bopara – 5 (51 runs at 51.00): Looked like a nervous boy on his first day at boarding school at Edgbaston but showed glimpses of his talent in a brief cameo at The Oval. It is hard to see how he can secure a permanent slot in the XI and with the likes of James Taylor and Jonathan Bairstow coming up fast on the rails, Bopara’s Test career is in danger of falling into the ‘could of, would of, should of’ category.

Matt Prior – 8 (271 runs at 67.75, 16 catches, 1 stumping): Saved England’s bacon at Lord’s with a brilliant counter-attacking hundred and embellished England’s second innings score at Trent Bridge. Made the occasional mistake behind the stumps but the difference with Dhoni was like night and day as evidenced by his brilliant stumping of Raina at The Oval.

Tim Bresnan – 8 (16 wickets at 16.31, 154 runs at 77): England’s lucky mascot with ten wins from his ten Tests proved a more than adequate replacement for the injured Tremlett. Now has career Test averages of 45 with the bat and 24 with the ball and could well have a secured a permanent spot in the XI for the winter.

Stuart Broad – 9 (25 wickets at 13.84, 182 runs at 60.66): Deservedly named man of the series. His performances at Lord’s and Trent Bridge bordered on the Bothamesque – the partnership with Prior steadied the ship in the second innings at Lord’s, his fifty at Trent Bridge lifted England from the abyss and his hat-trick the next day dramatically changed the course of the match. Bowled a fuller length and was richly rewarded. Unrecognisable from the player that struggled so badly against Sri Lanka.

Graeme Swann – 6 (13 wickets at 40.69, 55 runs at 18.33): Struggled in the first three Tests on pitches that offered little assistance, but bounced back at The Oval with a nine wicket haul to help seal the whitewash. Formed a crucial partnership with Broad in the first innings at Trent Bridge to keep England in the game.

James Anderson – 9 (21 wickets at 25.71, 20 runs at 20.00): Bowled even better than his figures suggest, was often unplayable and made the likes of Tendulkar, Laxman and Sehwag look like novices at times. Ranks alongside Dale Steyn as the best fast bowler in the world and has a bag of tricks that even accomplished wizards like Merlin and Gandalf would be proud of.

Chris Tremlett – 6 (4 wickets at 31.00): Injury restricted him to just the one Test, but that didn’t stop him impressing at Lord’s where one passage of play of Tremlett bowling to Tendulkar was Test cricket at its absolute gripping best. England’s man of the series against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer now faces a fight to get back into the XI over the winter.

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